12.12.2019

Christmas for a Health-Conscious Family


Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Christmas is usually the time for indulging in delicious food, watching Christmas movies, drinking hot cocoa with marshmallows, and making peace with that little voice telling you that you’ll have to go on a diet as soon as the 1st of January comes. However, there are ways to have a merry Christmas without stressing over your waistline and trying to ease the stomachache of your kids who had one too many candy canes. With that in mind, here’s how you can make your Christmas both fun and healthy for your whole family. 

Control your eating


Even though this season is all about celebrations, it doesn’t mean you have to indulge every day. Allow yourself some freedom during Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and for a day or two after the celebrations. However, when you’re not celebrating, stick to your usual healthy diet. Also, try to watch your potions – you can still try everything, but you don’t have to eat an entire plate of every dish. Opt for smaller portions, and eat slowly, so you can both enjoy your food and control your eating. As for your kids, keeping them away from all the sweets and unhealthy snacks might be a bit tricky, but you can always encourage them to spend more time outside playing in the snow to burn the extra calories. 

Make healthy treats


Photo by Aldyth Moyla on Unsplash
Speaking of sweets and snacks, nobody says that they have to be unhealthy and packed with sugar. You can easily make some treats that are healthy, delicious, and appealing to kids. For example, you can make peppermint meringues, which are just as festive as candy canes, but they contain much less sugar. Or, you can be creative and make strawberry and banana Santas that your kids will surely love. You can even make breakfast more fun by serving snowmen made of hard-boiled eggs, carrots, and peppercorns. In general, try to include as many fruits and veggies in your dishes, as your family will need vitamins to keep colds at bay. 

Socialize 


Staying mentally healthy is just as important as staying physically healthy. Preparing all the meals, making treats, decorating your home, and packing the gifts can glue you to your home for some time. This can make you feel a bit lonely, as you might not have the time to meet up with your friends and actually enjoy the season. However, you’d still have all the technology, and during busy times like these, it can help you feel less alone. For example, you can use apps that help build communities where moms meet and share experiences, learn from each other, exchange ideas about healthy treats, etc.

Stay hydrated


Photo by Pratik Gupta on Unsplash
All the social gatherings usually include a lot of drinking as well, which can put your liver under a lot of pressure. So, to help your body deal with alcohol, stay hydrated – by actually drinking more water, not more alcohol. Green tea is also a good choice, as it has antioxidant properties that can help your body flush out all the toxins found in alcohol. Moreover, berries and cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage and broccoli, can also help your body handle alcohol, so try to add them to your Christmas meals too.

Be active


Christmas often includes sitting in front of the TV and watching holiday specials, resting after meals, skipping your exercise, and not moving too much in general. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. It’s okay to give yourself a break and skip your workout, but you shouldn’t stop moving altogether. So, encourage your family to go for short walks after dinner, as it can help your digestion, and the fresh air can help clear your mind. If there is snow, play outside with your kids – have a snowball fight, make a snowman, and let your inner child out to play. 
‘Tis the season to be jolly, but you’re not going to be jolly for long if you ruin your health. So, choose to have a healthier Christmas by paying more attention to what your family eats and drinks, staying active, and socializing. This way, you’re more likely to start the new year feeling good about yourself, and the first thing on your New Year’s resolution list might not be losing weight.

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